LAPD to give Medal of Valor, Purple Heart awards

The Los Angeles Police Department will gather to honor more than a dozen of its outstanding officers at a Thursday ceremony in Hollywood.

Police Chief Charlie Beck will present the department’s highest recognition, the Medal of Valor and Purple Heart awards, during a luncheon scheduled for the grand ballroom of the Hollywood & Highland Center. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis will serve as the mistress of ceremonies.

The Los Angeles Police Foundation is the host of the ceremony.

Among the award recipients will be Det. Craig Marquez and Officer Kevin Cotter who helped stopped a gunman on a shooting spree at the intersection of Vine Street and Sunset Boulevard on Dec. 9, 2011.